So I think I just saw one of the best documentaries ever made...

The Five Obstructions is directed by Lars von Trier in collaboration with his idol, Jorgen Leth. In the film, von Trier challenges Leth to remake his 1967 short film, The Perfect Human, five times, each with different "obstructions" imposed upon him which consist of both requirements and restrictions.

The Five Obstructions is a densely layered film but for all intents and purposes, it's a documentary directed by von Trier with the results of Leth's challenges incorporated into it in the form of full duration experimental films. As a filmmaker, it's fascinating to watch. Some of the obstructions von Trier imposes on Leth are outrageous and he does so with devilish glee. One of the first requires Leth to restrict all takes to 12 frames (in layman's terms, all shots must be no more than half a second long). Yet Leth is an extraordinarily resourceful filmmaker; rather than find ways around each obstruction, he seeks to make them work in his favor.

Really, the film is about the creative process in general. Naturally, it's more about filmmaking than anything else but tell me you don't see elements of the OWC in this premise. Limitations facilitate creativity. Naturally, Leth is able to produce some interesting results for each challenge but you also get a lot of insight into von Trier as a director. Technically, he's directing Leth and at one point mentions that he coaxes actors in his own films into doing things they don't want because powerful performances will break through. Not to mention von Trier is famous for the limitations he puts on his own films and his Dogme95 movement.

For these elements alone, The Five Obstructions is required viewing for screenwriters. I'd especially recommend it to writers who complain about the OWC.

That said, while the film is worth the price of admission as a documentary alone, it's so much more than that. The premise alone is as much a manifesto of von Trier's directing style as it is the setup for a documentary. But the fifth obstruction completely turns the whole thing on its head and the film suddenly becomes a number of different things all wrapped up in one entity. It's hard to explain without spoiling anything but it reveals a remarkable synergy between two filmmakers and a magic cultivated by structure that transcends the documentary format.

But as a straightforward documentary, it's one of the best I've ever seen, hands down. It's on Netflix PlayInstant. Anyone interested in the creative process should check it out.

I put Lars von Trier on my list of favorite directors of all time when I was only about fifteen minutes into his movie 'Dogville'.  It's the first movie from him that I've ever seen and fifteen minutes in I was saying to myself 'this guy is going to do some unique movies.'

To me, he just has a knack for making his stories powerful.  I still haven't seen 'Antichrist' yet and I'm so pumped up to.

As for 'The Five Obstructions', I was just watching that the other day on Hulu or YouTube, but it was about four o'clock in the morning and I only saw the first obstructions.  I'll be checking out the rest of it tonight.  It is a really interesting idea and in the only little bit that I saw of it, it was really a VERY unique documentary, especially if you have anything to do with the film industry.

James,

Big thanks for starting this thread, I'd never heard of the film before.
Just finished watching it and it was very intriguing.
I'm a fan of Von Trier's process, if not always a fan of the finished film.
I like the details of uncomfortable film production with the rules.
The insight into Von Trier was fascinating as is his relationship with Leth.
I'm a firm believer in big time rules when it comes to the this craft.
I won't write a story without loads of "universe rules".
Whether rewriting a Western and replacing ineffectual villains or...
Writing Romeo & Juliet in s strip mall, it's the creative squeeze I enjoy.

Think I'm art filmed out at the moment.
A screening of "Hobo with a Shotgun" should hit the spot!

Regards,
E.D.